Merchandise display hook having interlocking time delay arms

ABSTRACT

A display hook for supporting items of merchandise includes a rod assembly and a pair of mechanically interlocked time delay arms medially disposed on the rod assembly. The time delay arms are sequentially movable to permit a potential purchaser to manipulate an item beyond the time delay arms for removal from the display hook. The time delay arms include a guide tube slidingly disposed on the rod assembly, a first arm rotatably mounted on the guide tube and a second arm spaced outwardly from the first arm and fixedly mounted on the guide tube. The first arm is spaced-apart from the second arm sufficiently to permit at least one of the items to be disposed between the arms. The first arm has a circumferentially extending groove and the guide tube has a key that cooperates with the groove to permit limited rotation between the guide tube and the first arm.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/979,945, filed Oct. 15, 2007.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to display hooks for supporting items of merchandise, while preventing rapid removal of the items from the display hook. More particularly, the invention relates to a merchandise display hook having interlocking time delay arms for increasing the amount of time needed to remove items of merchandise from the display hook.

It is common practice for retailers to display relatively small, relatively expensive items of merchandise on display hooks mounted to a display structure, such as a pegboard, slat board, slat wall or wire grid. The display hook allows a potential purchaser to closely examine a product, oftentimes through transparent protective packaging, prior to purchasing the item. At the same time, the display hook permits the retailer to place several of the items on the display hook for purchase in a relatively small amount of vertical and lateral space, thereby increasing the number of different products that can be displayed on the display structure and reducing the need to re-stock a given product. The relatively small size and expense of the items, however, increases the possibility that the merchandise will be stolen or removed from the display area by an unauthorized person.

A known technique of amateur shoplifters and professional thieves alike is to remove all of the items of merchandise from the display hook at the same time. This technique is commonly referred to as “sweeping” since the items are simultaneously removed from the support rod of the display hook with a rear-to-front sweeping motion. As a result, display hooks have been developed that include anti-sweep features. The simplest anti-sweep feature devised thus far for use on display hooks is a series of bends formed adjacent the free end of the support rod. The series of bends require each item of merchandise to be manipulated off of the support rod of the display hook one at a time. This feature, however, is only somewhat effective since shoplifters and thieves have developed improved dexterity and/or tools for manipulating the merchandise over the series of bends.

Another known feature for preventing the simultaneous theft of multiple items of merchandise by sweeping is a locking device positioned medially on the support rod of the display hook. The locking device is locked into position on the display hook in front of several of the items. As a result, potential purchasers have access to some of the items for immediate purchase, while the remaining items are securely locked on the support rod of the display hook behind the locking device. The display hook is available from Alpha Security Products, Inc. of Charlotte, N.C. and presently sold under the trade name Secure Fixtures™ equipped with the StopLok™ locking device. The StopLok™ locking device is shown and described in United States Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0062890 A1, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein. While the locking device is effective for preventing the theft of several items of merchandise at one time, the retailer must periodically monitor each display hook to ensure that the locking device is positioned behind at least one item that is removable for immediate purchase. Otherwise, a potential purchaser may become frustrated if all of the items of merchandise on the display hook are locked on the support rod between the display structure and the locking device.

Accordingly, there exists an unresolved need for an improved display hook for supporting items of merchandise, while preventing rapid removal of the items from the display hook. There exists a more specific need for a display hook that is more effective in preventing the simultaneous theft of several items of merchandise by sweeping. There exists a still more specific need for a display hook for supporting several items of merchandise that prevents sweeping without requiring the retailer to periodically monitor the display hook to ensure that at least one of the items is available for immediate removal and purchase.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aforementioned needs, objectives and advantages, as well as others readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, are provided by a display hook for supporting items of merchandise on a display structure that includes a rod assembly and a pair of interlocking time delay arms medially disposed on the rod assembly. The interlocking time delay arms are sequentially movable to permit a potential purchaser to manipulate an item of merchandise beyond the time delay arms for removal from the display hook.

In one embodiment, the interlocking time delay arms include a guide tube slidingly disposed on the rod assembly, a first arm rotatably mounted on the guide tube and a second arm disposed outwardly from the first arm and fixedly mounted on the guide tube. The first arm is positioned on the rod assembly a preselected distance outwardly from the display structure and is spaced-apart from the second arm sufficiently to permit at least one of the items of merchandise to be disposed between the first arm and the second arm. One of the guide tube and the first arm has a circumferentially extending groove formed therein and the other one of the guide tube and the first arm has a key formed thereon that cooperates with the groove to permit limited rotation between the guide tube and the first arm.

In yet another embodiment, the display hook includes a rod assembly adapted for mounting to a display structure and a time delay assembly medially disposed on the rod assembly. The rod assembly includes a guide rod and a support rod vertically spaced-apart from the guide rod a predetermined distance. The time delay assembly includes a guide tube slidingly disposed on the guide rod, a first arm rotatably mounted on the guide tube and a second arm spaced outwardly from the first arm and fixedly mounted on the guide tube. One of the guide tube and the first arm has a circumferentially extending groove formed therein, while the other has a key formed thereon that is received within the groove to permit relative rotation between the first arm and the guide tube.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention is a method for preventing the rapid removal of a plurality of items of merchandise from a display hook. The method includes providing a display hook for supporting items of merchandise on a display structure, the display hook including a rod assembly and a time delay assembly medially disposed on the rod assembly, the time delay assembly including at least a first arm and a second arm spaced outwardly from the first arm. The method further includes positioning the time delay assembly on the rod assembly of the display hook with the first arm disposed outwardly of the items of merchandise in an initial orientation. The method further includes rotating the first arm relative to the second arm about a longitudinal axis defined by the rod assembly sufficiently to position at least one of the items of merchandise on the rod assembly between the first arm and the outwardly spaced second arm. The method further includes rotating the first arm relative to the second arm about the longitudinal axis back to the initial orientation. The method further includes rotating the second arm relative to the first arm about the longitudinal axis sufficiently to position the at least one item of merchandise on the rod assembly outwardly of the second arm. The method further includes removing the at least one item of merchandise from the rod assembly of the display hook.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is best understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a display hook for supporting items of merchandise on a display structure with the display hook and the items of merchandise shown in an initial orientation.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the display hook of FIG. 1 shown with the items of merchandise and the label holder removed for clarity.

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the display hook of FIG. 1 shown with the items of merchandise removed for clarity.

FIG. 4 is right side elevation view of the display hook of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is an end view of the display hook of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a partial section view of the display hook of FIG. 2 taken in the direction indicated by line 5-5 in FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a partially exploded view of the time delay assembly disposed on the rod assembly of the display hook of FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is a detail exploded view of the time delay assembly of FIG. 7 with the rod assembly removed for clarity.

FIG. 9A is a front perspective view of the display hook of FIG. 1 shown with the first arm of the time delay assembly disposed outwardly of the items of merchandise and rotated upwardly relative to the second arm of the time delay assembly.

FIG. 9B is a detail perspective of the time delay assembly and the rod assembly of FIG. 9A shown with the label holder removed for clarity.

FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of the display hook of FIG. 1 shown with the first arm of the time delay assembly rotated upwardly relative to the second arm and at least one of the items of merchandise moved to a location between the first arm and the second arm.

FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of the display hook of FIG. 1 shown with the first arm of the time delay assembly rotated back to the initial orientation and with the at least one item of merchandise positioned between the first arm and the second arm.

FIG. 12A is a front perspective view of the display hook of FIG. 1 shown with the second arm rotated upwardly relative to the first arm and the at least one item of merchandise moved outwardly beyond the second arm.

FIG. 12B is a detail perspective view of the time delay assembly and the rod assembly of FIG. 12A shown with the label holder removed for clarity.

FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of the display hook of FIG. 1 shown with the second arm of the time delay assembly rotated back to the initial orientation and the at least one item of merchandise removed from the display hook.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the accompanying drawing figures wherein identical reference numerals denote the same elements throughout the various views, a display hook 10 according to the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1-6. The display hook 10 is operable for supporting items of merchandise 12, such as relatively small, relatively expensive consumer products (e.g. compact discs (CDs), digital video discs (DVDs), battery packs, etc.) on a display structure 14, such as a conventional pegboard, slat board, slat wall or wire grid, in a known manner.

The display hook 10 comprises a rod assembly 20 having means for engaging the display structure 14 and a time delay assembly 30 disposed on the rod assembly. The display hook 10 may also comprise an optional lockable base 40 disposed on the rod assembly 20 adjacent the display structure 14. As shown, the lockable base 40 comprises a housing 42 slidingly disposed on the rod assembly 20. An opening 43 formed in the housing 42 is configured to receive a correspondingly-shaped magnetic key (not shown) for releasably locking the base 40 on the rod assembly 20. As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the rod assembly 20 includes one or more pegs, hooks, tabs, extensions or the like 25 that engage a compatible display structure 14. The base 40 is slid along the rod assembly 20 up to the display structure 14 and locked in place, for example by a spring-loaded metal cylinder that is biased into a notch (not shown) formed on the rod assembly 20. The display hook 10 may also comprise an optional label holder 50 affixed to the free end of the rod assembly 20 opposite the display structure 14. As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, the free end of the rod assembly 20 has a relief 52 formed therein for receiving the label holder 50 in a slight interference or press fit.

As illustrated in the exemplary embodiment shown and described herein, the rod assembly 20 has a dual-rod configuration comprising an upper guide rod 22 and a lower support rod 24. The time delay assembly 30 is disposed on the guide rod 22, while the items of merchandise 12 are supported by the support rod 24. Typically, the packaging for the items of merchandise 12 includes an upper projection having a through hole 13 such that the merchandise can be loaded (i.e. “stocked”) onto the support rod 24 by a retailer, and subsequently removed by a salesperson or customer. More particularly, the time delay assembly 30 is medially disposed on the guide rod 22 between a proximate end 21 of the rod assembly 20 affixed to the display structure 14, and a distal end 23 of the rod assembly opposite the display structure. The display hook 10 may further comprise an optional anti-sweep feature 60 adjacent the free end (i.e. distal end 23) of the support rod 24. As shown herein, the optional anti-sweep feature 60 comprises a series of bends through which an item of merchandise 12 must be manipulated in order to remove the item from the support rod 24. The optional anti-sweep feature 60 is not intended to be limited to the configuration shown herein. Instead, the anti-sweep feature 60 may comprise any structure and may take any form suitable for increasing the time it takes to remove one or more items of merchandise 12 from the display hook 10. The anti-sweep feature 60 may also be configured to require the items of merchandise 12 to be removed one-at-a-time from the support rod 24.

An exemplary embodiment of a time delay assembly 30 in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8. The time delay assembly 30 may be secured to the guide rod 22 at a predetermined medial location between the proximate end 21 and the distal end 23. Preferably, however, the time delay assembly 30 is slidingly disposed on the guide rod 22 for horizontal sliding movement between the proximate end 21 and the distal end 23, as will be described. Regardless, the time delay assembly 30 comprises a guide tube 32, a first arm 34 rotatably mounted on the guide tube, and a second arm 36 disposed outwardly from the first arm and fixedly mounted on the guide tube. The guide tube 32 comprises an elongate, generally hollow tube having an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the guide rod 22. As such, the time delay assembly 30 may be slid onto the free end of the guide rod 22 before the optional label holder 50 is affixed to the distal end 23. The time delay assembly 30 is positioned on the guide rod 22 at a pre-selected distance from the display structure 14 such that the first arm 34 is disposed outwardly from the items of merchandise 12 supported on the support rod 24 in an initial orientation, as shown in FIG. 1. It should be noted, however, that the items of merchandise 12 may be stocked onto the support rod 24 of the rod assembly 20 either before or after the time delay assembly 30 is positioned on the guide rod 22.

The first arm 34 is also spaced-apart from the second arm 36 sufficiently to permit at least one of the items of merchandise 12 to be disposed between the first arm and the second arm, as will be described. As best shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the guide tube 32 has a plurality of notches 31 formed in the outer surface thereof. An opening 33 formed in the first arm 34 is configured to receive a correspondingly-shaped magnetic key (not shown) for releasably locking the first arm within a pre-selected one of notches 31 on the guide tube 32. More specifically, the magnetic key is disposed within the opening 33 and the first arm 34 is moved along the length of the guide tube 32 until the first arm is positioned on the guide tube with the desired spacing between the first arm and the second arm 36. The magnetic key is then removed from the opening 33 so that a projection on a locking member 35 biased towards the guide tube 32 by a biasing element 37, for example a conventional coil spring, is received within the pre-selected notch 31. As a result, the first arm 34 is releasably locked along the length of the guide tube 32 at a location corresponding to the desired spacing between the first arm and the second arm 36. It should be noted, however, that the first arm 34 remains mounted within notch 31 of guide tube 32 for limited rotation relative to the guide tube about a longitudinal axis L (FIG. 7) defined by the guide rod 22, as will be described.

One of the guide tube 32 and the first arm 34 has a key 38A formed thereon, while the other one of the guide tube and the first arm has a circumferentially extending groove 38B formed therein that cooperates with the key 38A to permit limited rotation between the guide tube and the first arm. In the exemplary embodiment shown and described herein (FIG. 6 and FIG. 8), the guide tube 32 is provided with a key 38A that is received within a circumferentially extending groove 38B provided on the first arm 34 such that the first arm is rotatable relative to the guide tube through the angle defined by the groove. The angle, or radian length, of the groove 38B is at least about sixty degrees (60°), and more preferably, between about seventy-five degrees (75°) and one hundred degrees (100°). In a preferred embodiment, the angle defined by the groove 38B is nominally about ninety degrees (90°). The second arm 36 is provided with a circumferentially extending groove or notch 38C that cooperates with the key 38A to fix the second arm on the guide tube 32. In particular, once the first arm 34 is rotatably mounted on the guide tube 32 with the key 38A received within the groove 38B, the second arm 36 is fixed on the free end of the guide tube with the key received within the notch 38C in a slight interference or press fit. As such, the time delay arms 34, 36 are mechanically interlocked and constrained to rotation relative to one another by the angle defined by the circumferential groove 38B. If desired, the second arm 36 may be provided with a mechanical stop and/or a recess for receiving a flexible tab on the guide tube 32 to further secure the second arm on the guide tube in a known manner. Furthermore, the first arm 34 and the second arm 36 may each comprise a low-powered magnet 39 (FIG. 8) for releasably retaining the first arm and the second arm against a support rod 24 made of metal in the initial orientation shown in FIG. 1.

A method for preventing the rapid removal of a plurality of items of merchandise 12 from a display hook 10 according to the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 9A through FIG. 13. The method comprises providing a display hook 10 for supporting items of merchandise 12 on a display structure 14. As previously described, the display hook 10 comprises a rod assembly 20 and a time delay assembly 30 medially disposed on the rod assembly. The time delay assembly 30 comprises at least a first arm 34 and a second arm 36 spaced outwardly from the first arm. The method further comprises positioning the time delay assembly 30 on the rod assembly 20 with the first arm 34 disposed outwardly of the items of merchandise 12 in the initial orientation shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B, the method further comprises rotating the first arm 34 relative to the second arm 36 about the longitudinal axis L defined by the rod assembly 20 sufficiently to move at least one of the items of merchandise 12 to a location 70 on the rod assembly between the first arm and the outwardly spaced second arm, as shown in FIG. 10. The first arm 34 is rotatable relative to the guide tube 32 and the second arm 36 through the angle or radian length defined by the circumferential groove 38B. In the fully rotated position, the first arm 34 is preferably substantially horizontal and the second arm 36 is substantially vertical such that the at least one item of merchandise 12 is moveable to the location 70 outwardly of the first arm, but is retained on the support rod 24 of the rod assembly 20 by the second arm.

As shown in FIG. 11, the method further comprises rotating the first arm 34 relative to the second arm 36 about the longitudinal axis L back to the initial orientation shown in FIG. 1 with the at least one item of merchandise 12 moved to the location 70 within the space between the first arm and the second arm. In this orientation, the second arm 36 is rotatable relative to the first arm 34 through the angle or radian length defined by the circumferential groove 38B in the opposite direction. As shown in FIG. 12A and FIG. 12B, the method further comprises rotating the second arm 36 relative to the first arm 34 about the longitudinal axis L sufficiently to permit the at least one item of merchandise 12 to be moved along the support rod 24 of the rod assembly 20 outwardly of the second arm. The second arm 36 is rotatable with the guide tube 32 relative to the first arm 34 through the angle or radian length defined by the circumferential groove 38B. In the fully rotated position, the second arm 36 is preferably substantially horizontal and the first arm 34 is substantially vertical such that the at least one item of merchandise 12 is moveable from the location 70 outwardly of the first arm to a location 80 outwardly beyond the second arm. If provided, the optional anti-sweep feature 60 retains the at least one item of merchandise 12 temporarily on the support rod 24 of the rod assembly 20.

Finally, the method further comprises removing the at least one item of merchandise 12 from the support rod 24 of the rod assembly 20 of the display hook 10. The method may be repeated as desired to remove one or more additional items of merchandise 12 from the display hook 10 in the same manner. Alternatively, the space between the first arm 34 and the second arm 36 of the time delay assembly 30 may be adjusted to permit two or more items of merchandise 12 to be removed simultaneously, subject to the presence and configuration of the anti-sweep feature 60. A retailer may stock items of merchandise 12 on the display hook 10 in the reverse manner. Alternatively, a magnetic key may be used as previously described to unlock the first arm 34 from the guide tube 32. The first arm 34 is then moved to a position along the guide tube 32 in which the first arm and the second arm 36 are rotatably relative to one another through an angle greater than at least about one hundred and thirty-five degrees (135°), and preferably greater than about one hundred and eighty degrees (180°).

The foregoing describes exemplary embodiments of a display hook for supporting items of merchandise on a display structure, while preventing rapid removal of the items from the display hook. The display hook has mechanically interlocked time delay arms for increasing the amount of time needed to remove an item from the display hook. While various embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description of preferred embodiments and the best mode for practicing the invention are provided for illustration only, and not for the purpose of limitation. In particular, it will be appreciated that a display hook having interlocking time delay arms in accordance with the present invention may be applicable for use with various items of merchandise, including but not limited to consumer electronic products, now known or hereinafter devised, without departing from the spirit and scope of any appended claim. 

1. A display hook for supporting items of merchandise, comprising: a rod assembly; and a pair of time delay arms medially disposed and spaced-apart on the rod assembly, the time delay arms being sequentially movable to permit a potential purchaser to manipulate at least one of the items of merchandise beyond the time delay arms for removal from the display hook.
 2. A display hook according to claim 1, wherein the time delay arms comprise a guide tube slidingly disposed on the rod assembly, a first arm rotatably mounted on the guide tube, and a second arm disposed outwardly from the first arm and fixedly mounted on the guide tube.
 3. A display hook according to claim 2, wherein the first arm is positioned on the rod assembly at a preselected medial position and is spaced-apart from the second arm sufficiently to permit at least one of the items of merchandise to be disposed between the first arm and the second arm.
 4. A display hook according to claim 2, wherein one of the guide tube and the first arm has a circumferentially extending groove formed therein and the other one of the guide tube and the first arm has a key formed thereon that cooperates with the groove to permit limited rotation between the guide tube and the first arm.
 5. A display hook according to claim 4, wherein the groove and the key permit limited rotation of the first arm relative to the guide tube about a longitudinal axis defined by the rod assembly between about 60 degrees and about 100 degrees.
 6. A display hook according to claim 4, wherein the second arm has a notch formed therein that cooperates with the key to fix the second arm on the guide tube such that the first arm and the second arm are mechanically interlocked and constrained to rotate relative to one another by the limited rotation defined by the groove and the key.
 7. A display hook according to claim 2, wherein the rod assembly comprises a guide rod and a support rod vertically spaced-apart from the guide rod a predetermined distance and wherein the guide tube is slidingly disposed on the guide rod.
 8. A display hook according to claim 2, wherein the guide tube has a plurality of notches formed therein and the first arm is configured to receive a magnetic key for releasably locking the first arm within one of the notches of the guide tube.
 9. A display hook according to claim 8, wherein the first arm comprises a locking member that is biased towards the guide tube by a biasing element to lock the first arm within the notch of the guide tube.
 10. A display hook according to claim 1, further comprising a lockable base disposed on the rod assembly.
 11. A display hook according to claim 10, further comprising a label holder affixed to a free end of the rod assembly.
 12. A display hook according to claim 1, further comprising an anti-sweep feature disposed adjacent a free end of the rod assembly.
 13. A display hook for supporting items of merchandise on a display structure, comprising: a rod assembly adapted for mounting to the display structure; and a time delay assembly medially disposed on the rod assembly, the time delay assembly comprising mechanically interlocked time delay arms constrained to rotate relative to one another through a predetermined angle so as to increase the time required to manipulate one or more of the items of merchandise beyond the time delay assembly and thereby prevent rapid removal of the items of merchandise from the display hook.
 14. A display hook according to claim 13, wherein the rod assembly comprises a guide rod and a support rod vertically spaced-apart from the guide rod a predetermined distance.
 15. A display hook according to claim 13, wherein the time delay assembly comprises a guide tube slidingly disposed on the rod assembly, a first arm rotatably mounted on the guide tube, and a second arm spaced outwardly from the first arm and fixedly mounted on the guide tube.
 16. A display hook according to claim 15, wherein the first arm has a circumferentially extending groove formed therein and the guide tube has a key formed thereon that is received within the groove to permit relative rotation between the first arm and the guide tube.
 17. A display hook according to claim 16, wherein the second arm has a notch formed therein that cooperates with the key formed on the guide tube to fix the second arm on the guide tube such that the first arm and the second arm are mechanically interlocked and constrained to rotate relative to one another by the limited rotation defined by the groove and the key.
 18. A display hook according to claim 15, wherein the guide tube has a plurality of notches formed therein and the first arm is configured to receive a magnetic key for releasably locking the first arm within one of the notches of the guide tube, the first arm comprising a locking member having a projection that is biased towards the guide tube by a biasing element to lock the first arm within one of the plurality of notches on the guide tube.
 19. A method for preventing the rapid removal of items of merchandise from a display hook, comprising: providing a display hook for supporting the items of merchandise on a display structure, the display hook comprising a rod assembly and a time delay assembly medially disposed on the rod assembly, the time delay assembly including at least a first arm and a second arm spaced outwardly on the rod assembly from the first arm; positioning the time delay assembly on the rod assembly of the display hook with the first arm disposed outwardly of the items of merchandise in an initial orientation; rotating the first arm relative to the second arm about a longitudinal axis defined by the rod assembly sufficiently to position at least one of the items of merchandise on the rod assembly between the first arm and the outwardly spaced second arm; rotating the first arm relative to the second arm about the longitudinal axis back to the initial orientation; rotating the second arm relative to the first arm about the longitudinal axis sufficiently to position the at least one item of merchandise on the rod assembly outwardly of the second arm; and removing the at least one item of merchandise from the rod assembly of the display hook.
 20. A method according to claim 19 wherein the time delay assembly comprises a guide tube slidingly disposed on the rod assembly, a first arm rotatably mounted on the guide tube, and a second arm spaced outwardly from the first arm and fixedly mounted on the guide tube; wherein the first arm has a circumferentially extending groove formed therein and the guide tube has a key formed thereon that is received within the groove to permit relative rotation between the first arm and the guide tube; and wherein the second arm has a notch formed therein that cooperates with the key formed on the guide tube to fix the second arm on the guide tube. 